Developments in Syria show that countries that have a strategic partnership with Russia can rely on Moscow only as long as they are of use to President Vladimir Putin, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Reuters/Liesa Johannssen
Developments in Syria show that countries that have a strategic partnership with Russia can rely on Moscow only as long as they are of use to President Vladimir Putin, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday.
During a short visit to Jordan, Pistorius made a stopover at the Al-Azraq air base before reaching Baghdad, where he will discuss ways to help stabilise the region after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Pistorius said Putin was "only reliable as long as it serves his interests" as Western countries battle Russia and China for influence and raw materials in Africa.
Russia did not immediately comment on his remarks.
Pistorius did not specify what the developments in Syria would mean for Germany's involvement in the region but said that its military missions in the Middle East, which include some 600 troops, would rather be stepped up than reduced.
"This is an extremely important opportunity that we should make best use of," the minister said, warning against raising expectations too much.
"Syria must not become a puppet of external powers such as Russia, Iran or (Lebanese armed group) Hezbollah again. This will not be a short or easy way but we should support Syria on its path to a peaceful future for its people and to more stability in the region."
As part of a U.S.-led coalition of some 70 countries, Germany has had troops in Iraq since 2015 to assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which in 2014 seized large swaths of Iraq and Syria but was later pushed back.
The Jordanian base Al-Azraq is used as a logistics hub for the mission, and the German air force launches air-to-air refuelling missions from there.
The mission in Iraq will end by September next year.
Germany has also deployed some 300 troops to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission that monitors the demarcation line with Israel, an area that has seen more than a year of hostilities between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.
By Sabine Siebold
U.S. President Joe Biden's top aides were heading to the Middle East on Wednesday seeking to advance efforts to reach an elusive Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal and help ensure a smooth transition in Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
The main commander of the rebels who toppled Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that anyone involved in the torture or killing of detainees during the ousted president's rule would be hunted down and pardons were out of the question.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Jordan on Wednesday and then to Turkey for high-level discussions on Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, the State Department announced.
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